Graham's Appeal Transcends Issues

POLITICS

August 20, 1989|By Rick Tonyan of the Sentinel Staff

State Rep. Dick Graham, a hero of Volusia County Republicans since he defeated longtime Democratic incumbent Sam Bell last year, is straying from the course on abortion and gasoline taxes laid out by Gov. Bob Martinez for GOP standard-bearers.

But that has not lowered the value of Graham's stock among local Republican leaders, who still celebrate his victory over Bell in the campaign for House District 28 seat.

Graham, an adviser to Martinez, does not want tighter restrictions on abortions. Since the U.S. Supreme Court in July opened the door for states to restrict abortions, Martinez has advocated tighter restrictions.

Meanwhile, the governor has opposed increasing taxes, including gasoline taxes that could pay for building and maintaining roads.

Although he has not endorsed a gas-tax increase, Graham says he will at least consider one during an October special legislative session on transportation problems and abortion.

Mainstream Republicans say Graham's stands on abortion and gas taxes confirm their belief that he will think for himself and stand by his own convictions.

''I think Dick is courageous and right on both issues,'' says Bob Wood, a longtime Ormond Beach Republican and former chairman of the county's GOP executive committee.

Abortion never became an issue between Graham and Bell. Some Republican abortion foes say they wish they had brought up the subject during the 1988 campaign.

''I didn't know his Graham's position,'' says George Crossley, a Deltona minister and a Republican. ''For us, the abortion issue is the litmus test.''

Crossley predicts anti-abortion forces will challenge Graham next year, either in the Republican primary or the general election.

''I think Dick Graham was selected in 1988 as part of a general Republican trend in the county,'' Crossley said. ''We'll just have to see how 1990 washes out.''

Some single-issue abortion opponents may leave his ranks, but those losses may be offset by registered Democrats who have applauded him for taking a stand, Graham says.

''You win some, you lose some,'' he says.

Graham campaigned on an anti-tax platform, but points out he did not shut the door to a gas-tax increase.

A gas tax is like a fee charged to those using a governmental service, Graham says. Motorists who use state roads would pay to build and maintain them.

Graham says a poll he took of constituents showed support for adding as much as 5 cents per gallon to the current federal, state and county gas taxes, which are almost 26 cents per gallon.

Some local Republicans say it would be worth paying a higher gas tax to fund such projects as widening congested Nova Road in the Halifax area. They are encouraging Graham to look at the proposal.

''I don't feel betrayed at all,'' said Shirley Bundy, chairwoman of the Republican Executive Committee. ''I'm really pleased with what Dick has been doing.''